Apparatus for use in gathering cotton.



J. P. OSHAUGHNBSSY. APPARATUS FOR USE IN GATHERING COTTON.

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Patented July 14, 1914.

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scares rgrnn r JALIES F. OBHAUGHNESSY, OF NEW YORK, 'N'. Y., ASSIGNOR,IB'Y MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 COTTON GATHERING CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK,N. Y., A CORPORA- TIO'N OF DELAWARE.

AEPARATUS FOR USE IN GATHERING COTTON.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. OSi-IAUniisassy, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at New York, count of New York,State of New York, havema e a certain new and useful Invention in Apparatus for Use inGathering Cotton, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in athering cotton.

The dliject of the invention is to provide means which are simple andeflicient for relieving the laborers or operators of much of thephysical wear, strains and drudgery iiicident to the operation ofgathering or picking cotton.

A further object of the invention is to provide means, adapted to bemoved along and between adjacent rows of cotton stalks, for supportingthe laborer or operator and also the bags or other receptacles employedto receive the cotton, manually gathered or picked, from the hands ofthe laborer or operator, whereby the laborer or operator is relieved ofthe increasing weight of the receptacle or be", and also of thenecessity for constantly bending or stooping over and then rising orstraightening up, and, at the same time, leaving the hands of theoperator entirely free to be employed in picking operation.

A further object is to provide means which enable the operator to betransported alongside the rows of cotton stalks at a convenient heightwith reference to the height of the cotton stalks to enable him toreadily effect the cotton gathering or picking operations with either orboth hands, thereby increasing his daily capacity.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination,location and relative arrangement of parts all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing and finallypointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing and to the various views andreference signs appearing thereon: Figure 1 is a view in side elevationof an apparatus embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is aview in top plan view, parts broken off.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 20, 1913.

Patented July M jolt Serial no. 785,608.

Fi 3 is a broken view in vertical longitudinal section on the line 3, 3,r 1g. 2. Fig. l is a view in vertical transverse section on the line 4,4, Fig. 3.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

The great diiliculty experienced throughout cotton growing countries orsections in procuring laborers for manually harvesting or gatheringcotton crops, is due largely to the physical wear and fatigue imposedupon the laborer in the cotton picking or harvesting operation. As thismanual opcration is usually carried out in practice the laborer isequipped with a bag which is suspended from the shoulder by means of astrap or otherwise and hangs by his side in convenient position toreceive the picked cotton from his hands as the same is extracted fromthe open bolls. The laborer so equipped, )rocecds along the row ofcotton stalks, picks the cotton by hand from the open bolls andtransfers it to the sack. As he proceeds with his work the bag of cottonstrapped over his shoulder is constantly increasing in Weight as itbecomes filled, thereby imposing an ever increasing burden upon thelaborer to carry it. Moreover, during the picking operation the laborer,as he proceeds with his work frequently stoops or bonds down to gatheror ick the colton, cspccially that portion which grows close lo theground, and then straightcns or rises up again, into an erect orpartially erect position to deposit the picked cotton llllO the bag, orgather the higher cotton. By reason of being thus required to carry theincreasing weight of the bag and repeatedly bending over andstraightening up, the laborer is subjected to very severe physical wearand strain and fatigue which limits and eurtails the daily capacity ofhis work and which renders the work of harvesting the cotton croparduous, toilsome, slow, tedious and expensive.

It is among the special purposes of my present invention to providemeans for relieving the laborers of the burden and toil of carrying thebag, and also of the necessity of repeatedly stooping or bending andthen straightening up, and in carrying out my invention I propose toemploy a platform adapted to be moved along and between adjacent cottonrows, and upon which are aceonmiodated supports for the ba s for one ormore laborers and also seats for the laborers, whereby the laborers maybe seated during the cotton picking operation and at a convenient heightto enable them to reach and pick or gather the cotton, using both handsfreely for that purpose. I also pro pose to arrange the seats so thatthey may be independently adjusted in height and may also be freelyrevolved so as to enable the laborer to accommodate himself to thevarying conditions of height of cotton and to shift his position asnecessity or desire may dictate.

Referring to the drawing reference sign A, designates a platform ofsufficient length to accommodate the desired number of seats. Theplatform may rest or be supported upon the ground in any suitable orconvenient manner. In the particular form shown to which, however myinvention is not to be limited or restricted, the platform is supportedon runners B. Upon the platform A are mounted one or more seats C, uponwhich the laborers may be seated while accomplishing their work. In theparticular form shown three seats are mounted on the platform, but it isobvious that only one or any desired number of seats may be employed.Each seat is mounted to freely and independently rotate or turn ineither direction and to be vertically adjusted according to theexigencies. These results may be accomplished in any suitable orconvenient manner. In the particular form shown to which, however, theinvention is not to be limited or restricted, each seat is carried by ascrew D, which is threaded through a sleeve E, mounted on the platform.By this means each seat is independently adjustable as to height and mayalso be freely turned in ne direction or the other to enable the lahorerto pick or gather the cotton from either row of stalks between whichrows the platform mores.

The bags to receive the cotton from the hands of the laborers as it ispicked or gathered from the open bolls, are designed to he supportedupon the platform in any suitable or convenient manner. A convenientarrangement is shown wherein the bag I for the front seat is suspendedfrom a standard G, suitably mounted upon the platform in front of saidfront seat. The bags for each of the other seats may be convenientlysupported on the back of the seat immediately in front of it. Ifdesired, and in order to maintain, the mouths of the bags open so thatthe picked cotton may be readily and easily deposited therein each bagmay be suspended from a llOO) or bail II, to whichthe open end of thebags am he detachably secured. As rapidly as the Jags are filled theymay be detached and removed and an empty ba placed in position for usewithout materiall y arresting or interrupting the )icking operation.

The platform with the bag supports, seats and laborers carried therebymay be moved through the cotton field and between adja cent rows ofcotton stalks in any suitable or convenient manner. In the form shownthe platform is drawn through the field by a traction or motor machineJ, but it is obvious and is to be understood that other means foraccomplishin this result may be employed. It is also obvious, as shownin the drawing that several platforms may be employed and moved alongthrough the field together. I do not desire, therefore to be limited inthis respect.

In the operation of the apparatus the platform, or latforms, where morethan one are employer, with the seats thereon adjusted as to height, andwith laborers seated thereon, and the bags suitably suspended from theirsupports, are moved through the cotton field and between adjacent rowsof cotton stalks. The laborers pick or gather the cotton and deposit thesame in the bags, which when filled, are removed and re laced by emptybags, the laborers being ree to use both hand to turn themselves in anydirection. Being relieved of the fatigue, wear and strain incident tothe ordinary picking operation the daily capacity of each laborer isgreatly increased and the harvesting of the cotton crop is expedited andrendered easy of accomplishment, while the output of each individuallaborer is kept separately from that of the others.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention, and aconstruction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new anduseful and of my own invention, and desire. to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. In an apparatus for use in gathering cotton, a platforn'i, aplurality of seats carried thereby. said seats beinr independentlymovable, a bag support a so mounted on said platform adjacent to eachseat, and means for moving said platform along and between adjacent rowsof cotton stalks.

2. In an up mratus for use in gathering cotton, a platform havin runnersresting upon and adapted to be dragged along the ground, a bag supportmounted on said platform, a seat also mounted on the platform adjacentthe bag support, said seat being mounted for free rotative movement, andmeans for dragging the platform along the ground.

3. In an apparatus for use in gathering cotton, a platform havingrunners to rest upon and adapted to be drag ed along the ground, meansfor detaehab y securing a bag in upright position on said platform, a

s in the picking operation and sent edjustabl mounted upon said platformwitnesses, on this 28th day of July A. D., adjacent the ag securingmeans, said seat 1913.

being 1 means for dragging the platform along the ground.

In testimon my hand in t 6 presence of the subscribing nounted forrotntive movement, and JAMES F. OSHAUGHNESSY Witnesses:

G. A. MCGRATH, WALTER A. DARBY.

whereof I have hereunto set M fiegiies oi this gates: may be obtainedfor two cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eeiosss,

Washington, D. 6."

